Hero's Mentor

Hero’s Mentor

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Commissions by Patreon Special

Wordcount: 2500

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The Sage sighed. The Sword Maiden laughed. The Hero pondered and looked upon the Demon Lord’s castle, which was alight, flooded, and crushed by waves and waves of molten rock.

“So, that’s what you were doing with all those Portal Scrolls we’ve gathered.” The Sage could only look upon the wanton destruction and sigh. It was a sight that she was familiar too. Something which she was greatly displeased by. “We could have used those to shorten our journey many times over, yet you chose to use them as weapons.”

“Traveling on by the road is stealthier and we get to help more people, so it was fine, right?” The Hero smiled widely as she always did. The Sage was sure that she was always smiling beneath her visor helm, whenever they were in battle too. The Hero was quite the charming girl, when she was not employing tactics uncouth upon the monstrous denizens of the world. “Imagine how many nests of monsters, let alone Goblins, we’d have missed if we hadn’t fought our way here!”

“It may have taken a bit longer, but there’s no denying we saved quite a few lives on our journey. Our feet might be sore, but many others live because of our actions.” Sage could only sigh at the Sword Maiden’s fastidious support of the Hero. Those two got along well, but what else could be expected of two warriors? “Besides, it was for the best that we kept them, no? Imagine having to assault that castle all by ourselves. It would have put the world’s fate on just three Platinum Adventurers!”

“It was better to be sure, yep! Now we can just keep watch and kill anything that survived, instead of fighting the enemy where they’re strong!” The logic was sound. Very sound. Such was the case with everything the Hero did, if she bothered to explain. Frustrating the Sage, however, was the fact most of the time the Hero kept things secret “just in case.” If she were to tell the whole truth, she was mostly miffed that she hadn’t been involved in creating the scrolls which destroyed the Demon Lord’s castle. “This way is much safer… and we can make sure everything is dead instead of having to make them dead!”

“…” The Sage could only wince at the simple words stated with absolute cheer. They were brutal and uncompromising words, not entirely befitting a legendary Hero, let alone the young girl that led them. Then again, most young girls did not charge into battle wielding a Sword of Light in full, gray plate and a pouch of many tools and trinkets, so she was sure that she was letting history color her vision instead of facing the truth. The world was much safer with such a multi-faceted and capable hero. That much was without a doubt. “I see. That does make sense. Then, Hero, how long do you propose we wait and look over the Demon Lord’s… ruin?”

“Two days, just to be sure, and we should send a message to the army so that they can keep watch for a few months! The Demon Lord might have food hidden away, if he’s been buried instead of killed!” That was unlikely. The Sage was sure that nothing could exist after experiencing fifteen torrents of lava straight from the gullet of numerous volcanoes descending from the sky with all the weight afforded by gravity… then upon which she cast Haste. Already speeding forth, the pillars of molten rock became onto spears of flame cast by the gods themselves. Spending two days to watch and make sure, as well as having the military watch over the location, was a waste… yet she couldn’t find the will to argue with the Hero.  “It’s always better to make sure, like Sensei taught me!”

Whoever Sensei was, Sage vowed to give the man a piece of her mind about what he taught young girls, before thanking him for ensuring the world was thoroughly saved. 

…

The Sage could only sigh as they settled around a table. The Sword Maiden was haggling and the Hero was visiting the Guild for new of any monsters, but matters concerning both monsters and currency could wait until the next day. For now, she was going to rest and recuperate from another journey upon a wagon. Skilled and capable magic-user she might be, but reading arcane tomes and practicing spells were hardly conducive towards lengthy journeys. 

She looked forward to a meal, a bath, and an evening upon a bed without needing to take watch.

Of course, the Hero chose to burst through the door with a feverish gaze before she could even undo her cloak.

“Is it Goblins, Hero?” Sage found herself asking, whilst the rest of the Inn muttered amongst themselves. It didn’t matter what was going to be said. As always, the Hero’s next words were going to silence the Inn before raising a cheer. “Are we to sally forth?”

“Of course, Goblins near a town must be dealt with as fast as possible!” Adventurers at Silver turned their noses up at Goblins. They were cruel, parasitic beings which deserved no quarter, the Sage was very aware… but that didn’t mean she went out of her way to kill them when possible. The Hero did. “Doesn’t everyone agree!?”

Had the Hero been another Platinum-ranked adventurer, some of the townsfolk in attendance would’ve been wary of agreeing, but such was not the case. The Sage observed as wary gazes became surprised… before filling with joy and surprise. 

It only took a moment for the cheering to begin.

“T-thank you!”

“Y-yeah! Get rid of those Goblins, please!”

“Thank the gods, we’re going to be safe!”

To be delivered from the disease upon civilization known as Goblins by the Hero, folk from small towns would cry out in ecstasy. There was no look of disdain barely withheld by awe. To the folks who lived outside of cities, who braved the night beneath torchlight to go to homes built by amateur masons and guarded by rickety fences, such a declaration won love and admiration without measure. 

The Sage could only sigh as her restful even was lost, as the Sword Saint ceased haggling, and went towards the Hero with a wide smile. 

At the very least, the Hero was doing as Heroes ought to do, even if the way she did it was unbefitting of a young girl.

…

It was in another Inn, in another town, that the Sage patiently waited for the Hero to return with news of Goblins or other monsters. Wherever their journey took them, they always took the time to quell the monsters that were within they reached. It was a steady income of gold and treasure, along with experience, but the Sage was becoming most keen regarding the songs of the Hero that were steadily gaining traction amongst the people. 

Heroes were expected to win the hearts of the populace, since they were the ones who would bring low demons, but never in history was there a hero so earnestly praised by those of rural towns such the Hero she now followed. Sure, within the cities and courts, there would be talk of a Hero’s deeds and they would be given great rewards upon arriving, but of the people who lived outside of glorious cities, ports, and capitals? A Hero’s actions were something to be praised, but their daily lives continued unchanged.

Yet, wherever the Hero now went, she was greeted with smiles, cheering, and gifts. The Hero pressed away the gifts with a smile, claiming she was only doing what she was meant to do, and that would only make her legend grow evermore.

The Sage was sure that the crown fretted and frowned about the Hero’s popularity… and that something would be done, if not for the Hero’s ardent wish to return to the frontier after vanquishing the Demon Lord. 

Indeed, there would be much trouble if the Hero wanted to rule, as the masses would surely support her without hesitation for all her deeds.

Deeds such as the Sage expected to be a part of this very eve, but found her expectations subverted, as the Hero sat smiling at their table instead of proclaiming a quest for them to undertake.

“Sensei was already here, so the town’s as safe as can be!” The Hero’s explanation was simple and candid, but caused no end of questions to arise within the Sage’s mind. Sensei was an individual that the Hero spoke about fondly and often, but this was the first moment that it crossed her mind that the Hero’s mentor still lived and still fought. If such a person existed, then why would they not have joined the Hero on her journey, so that their power and skill could be leveraged, too? “Ah, I can finally sleep easy! There’s no Goblins to worry about!”

There was question on the Sage’s lips, but it was drowned out by a chorus of gentle cheers from the Inn.

“I’ll drink to that! Thank the gods those things are gone.”

“Ha! It took a while for that Adventurer to come by, but that man sure did well!”

“Odd fellow as he was, he’s kept my young’uns safe and that’s all that matters!”

However, it wasn’t those affectionate words that brought the Sage’s curiosity to a halt.

Instead, it was the wide, cheery smile on the Hero’s face that was unfamiliar to her that did. 

The Hero always smiled, but it never reached her eyes as it did now. It was genuine smile, filled with affection, instead of the one meant to charm and ensure that everyone looking at her could be filled with hope.

At the sight of that, the Sage could only bite her tongue and not ask the questions she wished to ask.

Questioning the reason behind that smile would end poorly.

…

Naturally, the Sword Saint asked about it the moment they were all seated and eating.

“So, who’s this teacher you’re so fond of, Hero?” The Sage could only watch while the Hero suddenly struggled to swallow. Dying by chocking would be a terrible end to a Hero, so she readied herself to come to her companion’s aid. Thankfully, all the flailing the Hero did had its intended effect of dislodging the Demon Lord’s last laugh from killing her. It was very majestic. “Oh-ho! Sage, it looks like our Hero actually has someone more important to her than killing monsters!”

“W-what of it!?” That was a phrase that the Sage heard much from the Hero. It was a question which could also be answer, a set of words that could end a conversation with ease. However, if one had courage, they could answer those words. The Sword Saint, not lacking in courage, was able to overcome the barrier with just a smile. “W-what’s so important about that? It’s not that important.”

“Now, now. We’re a party. We should know each other’s histories. Motivation is always important.” The Sword Saint’s words were as swift and decisive as her attacks. The Sage watched as the Hero found herself cornered, unable to flee, and incapable of warding off the blows that encroached upon her. Character motivation is quite important for the party members to know, since Adventurers trusted their lives with one another. “You know everything about the two of us, right? So, it should be fine for you to start telling us about you, besides the fact that you’re the Chosen Hero!”

“It’s really not that important.” The Hero attempted to deflect, but the Sword Saint simply pressed her attack. With a patient smile and crossed arms, making it clear she wouldn’t eat and let the conversation pass, she wordlessly kept the Hero on the backfoot. The Sage was suitably impressed, especially since she was free to simply listen, satisfy her curiosity, and keep eating a well-cooked meal, instead of rations over a campfire. It was quite a nice time. “R-really!”

“Ha! I might have spent most of my days training, but I can still sniff out a secret! So, what’s he like? Tall? Warrior? Mage? Noble? Come now, Hero, you can tell us anything.” The Sword Saint’s smile was insistent. “What’s a secret such as these between friends who’ve braved the depths of the deplorable and vile?”

The Sage watched idly, because there was a reason that the Sword Saint spoke for the whole party. She was the most well-spoken, despite her heritage and class. Both herself and the Hero were from more ignoble births, despite their talent. It was only a matter of time before the Hero spoke.

And, so, she did.

“Ummm… ah… I met him when he rescued me from my village. While it was being destroyed by Goblins.” Much came to perspective with those words alone. The Hero’s hatred of Goblins made more sense with that simple sentence. “Then, after that, he took care of me, trained me, and we worked together until I… found this thing and deal with the Demon Lord.”

“Oh, so the Hero’s pining for her own Hero, huh?” The Sword Saint was able to smile and move the conversation onward, a skill which the Sage was somewhat envious of. After hearing such an admission, of lost homes and a hatred for monsters most vile, she would’ve been incapable of keeping the conversation flowing. “That must be nice. And, he must be a good teacher too. He taught you everything you know, correct?”

“R-right! Of course, he did! He wanted to help me, so he taught me everything he knew, and everything he learned when he learned it.” The Sage was barely able to take note of the lightest sadness in the Hero’s features before it was swept away with glee and cheer. Again, it was the genuine sort, instead of the disarming emotions the Hero presented to onlookers. “If he hadn’t taught me so well, I’m sure that we wouldn’t have done so well or finished so quickly!”

“He sounds like quite the man.” The Sword Saint agreed. “How about you tell me more about him, Hero?”

The Sage took note of the wink sent her way.

It was the sort of wink the Sword Saint gave when she wanted her to listen closely and pay attention, since, with the Hero ready to finally speak, the two of them could learn all they could about their friend.

And, perhaps, how to pay her back for all the work she did for the whole world. 

The Sage wasn’t a very capable speaker, but she was confident in her ability to memorize.

“A-alright, but first you both have to promise you won’t laugh at his name! A lot of people did when I told them… and they made me quite angry! I don’t want to be angry at you!” The Sword Saint gave an easy agreement, so the Sage quickly did too. The Hero seemed content with this, so she took a deep breath whilst picking idly at her food. The slightest of blushes played upon her cheeks, making her look less of a Demon Lord Slayer and more of maiden. “Well… everyone calls him Goblin Slayer… and I really didn’t like how everyone didn’t treat him well back at home…”

The Sage settled in for a long tale ready to listen to a Hero’s beginning… and not of the tale she’d actually hear.

Though, from the name of the Mentor and the Hero’s attitude towards the monsters, she should’ve guessed it’d be mostly about killing Goblins.